Last Updated on December 26, 2024 by Michelle

While I’ve always been a tea fan, I haven’t always been a coffee fan. So how did I wind up here, writing a protein latte recipe?

I drank (and enjoyed) my not-coffee tea for over a year before my daughters convinced me it, truly, tastes EXACTLY like coffee, and therefore I would, in fact, like “real” coffee if I gave it a try. They were right.

Now I enjoy all three–tea (of course), coffee (still getting used to being a coffee-liker), and my chicory not-coffee tea (that tastes like coffee + has tons of added benefits). Now when I make lattes, I try to add additional health benefits. Enter this Protein latte.

A high-protein vanilla latte? Yes, please.

Now, I’m usually more of a chocolate girl, so this high-protein peppermint mocha is my go-to protein latte, but this vanilla latte is my go-to when I want to switch it up. Also, if you want to use chicory to make a mocha frappe, here’s my recipe for that.

Protein latte: flavor options

If you’re using flavored protein power in your latte, you’re only limited in flavors by the protein powder you can find. You can also easily use plain protein powder. Then add your own syrups and flavors to make any kind of protein latte your heart desires.

In fact, one of my favorite protein lattes is a simple shaken brown sugar latte (just like Starbucks but without the crazy sugar and with an extra 30+ grams of protein!). I just use plain protein powder in my latte, and shake my espresso in a jar with coconut sugar, a splash of sorghum syrup (or molasses), cinnamon, and ice. Pour over milk. Boom. Homemade high-protein shaken brown sugar latte.

While peppermint mocha and vanilla are my personal favorite high-protein latte flavors, there are tons of options. Some other great favorites are;

high-protein salted caramel latte
a just chocolate protein latte
protein snickerdoodle latte
and even a creamy peanut butter & chocolate protein latte.

Is protein powder good in lattes?

Some folks worry adding protein powder to a latte will make it chalky or clumpy. As long as you’re using a high quality protein and frothing it into your liquid well, your protein latte will be delicious. Clump-and-chalk free.

In fact, I personally think protein lattes are even more delicious than non-protein lattes! If you’re making a hot latte, I swear the protein powder makes the milk even frothier and creamier, not to mention the flavor it adds!

Why add protein to lattes?

I’m so glad you asked. While there are a million reasons to add a high-quality protein powder to your daily latte, I’ll list my top reasons:

Getting in the habit of adding protein powder to your lattes will help you get more protein in every single day. Protein is so important for reaching or maintaining a healthy weight, building or maintaining muscle (nobody wants to loose muscle!), feeling full, satiated and content after meals, and for building and maintaining healthy and balanced cells and hormones.
Making protein lattes offers so many fun flavor options. Even more than just using sauces or syrups, adding protein to your latte allows you to keep tons of fun, shelf-stable latte flavorings on-hand and switch up your lattes!
If you’re using the right protein powder, you’ll benefit from not only the extra protein, but also be getting added vitamins and minerals in your life! The protein powder I use contains 5 different sources of protein, including chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and collagen. They’re all extremely nourishing in different ways.
Your protein latte just might help you achieve glowing skin, healthier nails, and longer, thicker, silkier hair! If you use a protein powder with added collagen, your hair, skin and nails will thank you!
No added sugar in your lattes. Using a high-quality protein powder in my lattes helps my cut down on my sugar consumption because I don’t need to add ANY extra sugar to my lattes–just protein powder.

Can I make a protein latte hot or iced?

Protein powder can be added to any latte or coffee drink. In my experience, hot lattes do dissolve the protein powder just a tad easier and quicker than iced lattes. But with some frothing, protein powder can easily be added to either an iced or a hot latte for a flavorful, protein-packed drink.